As of Friday, July 30, 2021, Montana reports 116,366 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with 228 new cases reported since yesterday: 51 new cases in Flathead County, 31 new cases in Cascade County, 31 new cases in Yellowstone County, 18 new cases in Gallatin County, 18 new cases in Lewis & Clark County, 15 new cases in Missoula County, and more new cases in 23 more Montana counties. The number of active coronavirus cases in Montana is 1,198. Currently, 106 people are being treated in Montana hospitals for COVID-19. The most active cases are in Flathead, Yellowstone, Cascade, and Missoula Counties. 1,704 people have died in Montana of COVID-19. Nationwide, more than 612,000 Americans have died of COVID-19. There have been 34,900,000 cases of coronavirus in the US, and counting.

Masks are now, again, strongly recommended for everyone, whether vaccinated or not. The CDC says to wear a mask indoors. A new study shows the Delta Covid-19 variant produced similar amounts of virus in vaccinated and unvaccinated people if they get infected — illustrating a key motivation behind the federal guidance that now recommends that fully vaccinated Americans and definitely unvaccinated people must wear masks indoors.

The CDC recommends that all students in kindergarten through 12th grade wear masks when they return to schools this fall. The newly issued CDC guideline includes youngsters who have already been vaccinated.

The CDC has issued a stern warning about the delta variant of the coronavirus, saying that “the war has changed.” Now, it says even vaccinated people are able to readily spread the virus.

Harmful algae blooms toxic to animals and humans have been found in the northeast portion of Hebgen Lake. The bloom is in the northeast area of the lake near the Grayling Arm area. People and pets must stay out of the water.